With every new BMW 3 (or 4) Series debut, each updated C-Class launch, and all new Audi A4 and A5 arrivals, special M, AMG   and RS versions soon follow. The same holds true for Cadillac and its…

Cadillac to limit 2015 CTS-V Coupe to 500 special-edition examples

With every new BMW 3 (or 4) Series debut, each updated C-Class launch, and all new Audi A4 and A5 arrivals, special M, AMG and RS versions soon follow. The same holds true for Cadillac and its V series. Now with the all-new CTS in our midst, including the fabulous twin-turbo V6-powered CTS V Sport, we've been told a new super-powerful CTS-V will debut sometime next year, but before this occurs Cadillac will entertain us with a special edition of its much-lauded CTS-V Coupe.

Unlike the four-door CTS, the CTS Coupe hasn't received a major update just yet. The chiseled two-door is still a sleek piece of contemporary rolling art, mind you, and the CTS-V Coupe a variation of that art in hyper-speed, so why not give it one last hurrah before it makes way for an entirely new iteration.

"The special edition is a stepping stone to the next-generation V-Series, which will move to the next level with more dynamic design and technical sophistication," said Uwe Ellinghaus, chief Read Full Story
If you think that the new Ford Fusion is only enjoying phenomenal sales success because it’s great looking, a closer look is needed. Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press Its nod to the beautiful…

2014 Ford Fusion SE Road Test Review

If you think that the new Ford Fusion is only enjoying phenomenal sales success because it's great looking, a closer look is needed. Its nod to the beautiful Aston Martin Rapide guaranteed it would be one of the most attractive cars in the mid-size class when it arrived in blue-oval dealerships last year, but what new car buyers couldn't see behind the sheet metal was an upscale interior filled with top-level features, strong performance from a variety of fuel-efficient powertrains, and overall versatility.

No other manufacturer offers as many powertrain options with a single model as Ford does with the 2014 Fusion. No less than six different power units are available, starting with the base 2.5-litre Duratec four-cylinder, which is followed by the 1.5-litre Ecoboost four, the 1.6-litre Ecoboost, the 2.0-litre Ecoboost, the 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle I-4 in the Fusion Hybrid, and the same engine with a plug in the Fusion Energi. The only mill it's missing from models past is a Read Full Story
Every year, Nissan performance enthusiasts gather to celebrate Zdayz, a tribute to the iconic Z-car and other Nissan speed machines   such as the GT-R. The annual celebration changes venues each…

2015 Nissan 370Z Nismo debuts at Zdayz

Every year, Nissan performance enthusiasts gather to celebrate Zdayz, a tribute to the iconic Z-car and other Nissan speed machines such as the GT-R. The annual celebration changes venues each year, taking place in various locations around the U.S. The first Zdayz was held in 2004, but at its roots is the stylish and well-loved Datsun 240Z of the early 1970s.

This year, Zdayz was held at the Fontana Village Resort in North Carolina, and Nissan surprised the enthusiast participants by debuting the 2015 370Z Nismo at the event.

Compared to the 2014 370Z, the 2015 has a somewhat more subtle and refined look, matched by a newly available automatic transmission and more comfortable seats.

The exterior changes include a smaller, more mature looking ducktail spoiler at the back, new charcoal grey twin-spoke 19-inch Rays wheels, LED running lights, and a deeper front chin spoiler with red accents that flow into the side sills to the rear fascia.

Inside, the Read Full Story
With BMW’s 2 Series now firmly established in the German maker’s lineup, it’s no surprise that new variants are beginning to   appear. Starting this summer, BMW will offer its xDrive…

BMW 2 Series gets all-wheel drive option

With BMW's 2 Series now firmly established in the German maker's lineup, it's no surprise that new variants are beginning to appear. Starting this summer, BMW will offer its xDrive all-wheel drive system on the M235i, marking the first time that all-wheel drive has been available for the 2 Series. The convertible will also get optional xDrive, at least in Europe (North American availability has yet to be announced).

The M235i xDrive Coupe gets the same 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six as the rear-drive M235i Coupe, generating the same 326 horsepower (320 horsepower in the North American market). It also gets the same eight-speed automatic transmission, but the power is channeled to all four wheels allowing a 0-100 km/h time of 4.6 seconds – 0.2 seconds quicker than the rear-drive car.

Another upgrade for the summer of 2014 sees BMW 1 Series, 2 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series and 5 Series cars equipped with automatic transmissions and navigation getting a new proactive Read Full Story
When it comes to big family haulers, there are two schools of thought: those who think a minivan is the way to go, and those Photo: Simon Hill, Canadian Auto Press who believe a three-row crossover is…

2014 Chevrolet Traverse LT AWD Road Test Review

When it comes to big family haulers, there are two schools of thought: those who think a minivan is the way to go, and those who believe a three-row crossover is the better alternative. Chevrolet falls squarely into the latter camp, having replaced its Uplander minivan with the three-row Traverse crossover for the 2009 model year.

Available in either front-wheel or all-wheel drive, the Traverse is a nicely proportioned crossover with a straightforward sense of style and purpose. It has changed only slightly since its introduction, with a refresh for the 2013 model year that saw it get a new (and to my eye far better looking) grille and front fascia, together with redesigned Camaro-like taillights and a refreshed interior featuring improved materials and a restyled dashboard to create a decidedly more upscale ambience. For 2014, the only new changes are the addition of a couple extra USB charging ports, and newly available lane departure warning and forward-collision alert (standard Read Full Story
The new small overlap front crash test added by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2012 has been tripping   up cars both small and large, forcing many manufacturers to go back to…

Redesigned 2015 Hyundai Genesis aces crash tests

The new small overlap front crash test added by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2012 has been tripping up cars both small and large, forcing many manufacturers to go back to the drawing board to improve less-than-stellar results.

But as Hyundai has proved with its next-generation 2015 Genesis, the extreme challenges of the small front overlap crash test can indeed be met. The redesigned Hyundai Genesis recently earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award; with a good rating in the small overlap front crash test and a superior rating for front crash prevention. It also earned good ratings in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint evaluations.

In the small overlap test, the driver's space was maintained well, and injury measures recorded on the driver dummy indicated a low risk of any significant injuries in the crash. The front airbag stayed in its correct position during the crash, allowing it to cushion the dummy's head properly, Read Full Story
Nissan is looking to move the next generation of its iconic Leaf decidedly towards the mainstream, according to Nissan executive Current 2014 Nissan Leaf. (Photo: Nissan) vice president Andy Palmer. Expected…

Next-generation Nissan Leaf to go mainstream

Nissan is looking to move the next generation of its iconic Leaf decidedly towards the mainstream, according to Nissan executive vice president Andy Palmer. Expected to arrive in mid-2017, the new Leaf will have a more capable battery pack to extend range, and more conventional styling.

Nissan explained that when the Leaf was introduced four years ago it needed to look different to attract attention, but as electric cars become more common and accepted, they can adopt more mainstream styling.

Mamoru Aoki, Nissan brand's global design chief gave credit to Tesla for leading the charge towards authentic electric style. "The current Leaf is aiming too much [for] an EV-like appearance. Tesla doesn't look EV at all. The Tesla S just looks nice, very sporty, sleek, but very authentic," he said.

The next-generation Leaf is expected to feature a front-end inspired by Nissan's current design language. It will retain the current model's hatchback configuration and follow Read Full Story
Honda delivered its best Accord sedan yet last year, a car that reminded everyone why the company’s leagues of satisfied customers Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press are always so satisfied.…

2014 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring Road Test Review

Honda delivered its best Accord sedan yet last year, a car that reminded everyone why the company's leagues of satisfied customers are always so satisfied. Now for 2014 it's taken the Accord concept into greener pastures with the Accord Hybrid.

In case that name sounds familiar, this isn't their first go-around with an Accord Hybrid. I first drove the car with the same name back in 2004 and it was truly impressive, but more so for performance than fuel economy. Like all Honda hybrids up to this point, which currently include the Civic Hybrid, CR-Z and Insight, their Integrated Motor Assist parallel hybrid system (mild hybrid) has been employed, a drivetrain that electrically boosts power to the gasoline engine rather than having an EV mode that can take over completely. The old 2005-2007 Accord Hybrid was a surprise because its powertrain included a V6 instead of a fuel-saving four, which might have been a good idea if stuffed under the hood of a premium-level Acura TL, but despite Read Full Story